Flexible conveyer



March 18 1924.

L. W. WATERS FLEXIBLE CONVEYER Filed Feb. 28 1923 2 ShBGtS-Sheet k March as 1924 2,4875% L. W. WATERS FLEXIBLE CONVEYER Filed Fe 28 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ----Ii.----Il- \mnm Patented Mar. 18, 1924.

UHF STS LAWRENCE W. WATERS, OF KINGSBURG, CALIFORNIA.

FLEXIBLE CONVJEYER.

Application filed February 28, 1923. Serial No. 621,912.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE W. WATERS, a citizen of the United States, residingat Kingsbur in the county of Fresno and State of alifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flexible Conveyers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in flexible conveyers of the roller type and commonly employed in ware-houses for the purpose of distributing goods from one point to another, as for instance, boxes from one stack to a car during the loading or unloading.

The principal object of this invention is to produce a conveyer having a plurality of rollers equally spaced and to further provide means whereby these rollers may be caused to pivot upon an arc, the rollers automatically assumlng their correct positions upon the arc.

Another object is to produce a device of this character which is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, and therefore within the purchase price of the average user.

I A still further object is to produce a device which will have suiiicient strength to withstand the ordinary wear and tear incident to a device of this character.

A still further object is to provide means whereby the same may be readily moved from point to point.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings formin a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of my device,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1, Figure '3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 6,

Figure 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 6,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective detail view of one of the side lates,

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the device I showing the device when turned to provide a curved path, and

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a combined support and truck.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention the numerals 5, 6 and 7 refer to three rollers equally spaced one from the other and each mounted in a U-shaped frame as shown at 8 (see Fig. 3). These U-shaped frames are rigidly held one to the other as by cross braces 9, 11 and 12.

A U-shaped housing 13 is secured to one end of the U-shaped members 8 and a housing 14 is secured to the opposite end of the U-shaped members 8 as best shown in Figure 3.

The purpose of these housings are to receive the ends of flexible side pieces 16 and 17 (see Fig. 1).

At 18, 19 and 21 I have shown rollers simi lar to the rollers 5, 6 and 7 and spaced in equal'distance from each other. These rollers are each mounted in a U-shaped member as shown at 22 (see Fig. 4). These U-shaped frames 22 are identical with the U-shaped frames 8.

Each of these frames has centrally mounted therein a pivoted bolt 23. Extending between the upper end of each of these pivot bolts is a link 24. On the lower extremity of these bolts is placed a bracer 26 and extending between the bolts are links 27.

A link 28 serves to connect the first pivot bolt in the series with the under surface of the first U-shaped member 8 (see Fig. 2).

By now referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be noted that brackets 29 are secured to the opposite ends of each of these U- shaped members. It will be noted that each of these brackets is provided with an offset portion 31, which ofi'setportion is adapted to allow the passage of angle iron members 32 therethrough, which angle iron members are attached to the sides 14 and 16. The construction of these angle iron portions is best shown in Figure 5.

In order to cause theproper angular relation between the rollers in the curved portion, I provide compensating links 33 and 34;. These links extend between pivots mounted an equal distance from the pivot bolts 24:, and across each other as best shown in Figures 1 and 6.

In Figure 7 I have shown a truck 36 hav ing casters 37 and 38 and supports 39. These supports are adapted to engage the opposite sides of the conveyor at suitable disstances, in order to properly support the same from the floor. These trucks being readily movable permit the device to be flexed in any desired position without changing the remainder of the conveyer system.

The operation of my device is as follows Assuming that the arts are arranged as shown in Figure 1 and it is desired to bend the same into either a full line or dotted line position of Figure 6, the operator merely grasps or pushes on the-device as a whole, with the result that if he is moving the same into the position shown in full lines in Figure 6, the side 17 will lengthen,'while the side 16 will shorten. This lengthening and shortening of the sides is permitted through the sliding engagement of the sides with their end housings 13 and 14. I

At the same time the distance between the ends of the rollers will likewise lengthen and shorten with respect to the sides. This lengthening and shortening is permitted through the sliding engagement with the sides between the ends of the U-shaped frames and their respective brackets. At the same time the sides are prevented from withdrawal through the engagement of the angle iron members 32, passing through the ofiset portion 31 of the brackets.

The action of the compensating links is quite clear in Figure 6 and needs no comment, as this action is a mechanical one and Well known. r

The links 24 and 27 serve to maintain a proper alignment with respect to the center of each of the rollers and at the same time serve to form a brace throughout the length of the device as a whole.

It will thusbe seen that I have provided a co'nveyer which may be flexed as conditions require and one which is simple in construction therefore meeting the requirements of the trade. 5

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as .a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim 1. In a device of the character described, a plurality of rollers spaced one from the other, flexible sides movably secured to each of said rollers and means connecting said aeeaese rollers for causing an angular displacement between said rollers, said angular displacement being upon the radii of any given arc.

2. In a device of the character described, a series of rollers spaced one from the other, U-shaped brackets supporting said rollers, flexible side pieces slidably secured to each of said U-shaped members, and means interposed between said U-shaped members for simultaneously moving said Ushaped members so as to vary the angle between each of said U-shaped members, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a device of the character described, a plurality of U-shaped members, rigidly secured one to the other, a housing secured to the opposite ends of said U-shaped members, rollers mounted in the opposite ends of said U-shaped members, said rollers being in alignment with each other, a second series of rollers equally progressively spaced from said first mentioned rollers, U-shaped members supporting each of said second series of rollers, links connecting the central portion of each of, said U-shaped members, and side pieces slidably secured to each of said U- shaped members and adapted to have their ends slidably engaged in said housings, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a device of the character described, a pluralityof U-shaped members, rigidly secured one to the other, a housing secured to the opposite ends of said U-shaped members, rollers mounted in the opposite ends of said U-shaped members, said rollers being in alignment with each other, a second series of rollers equally progressively spaced from. said first mentioned rollers, U-shaped members supporting each of said second series of rollers, links connecting the central portion .of each of said U-shaped members, and side pieces slidably secured to each of said U- shaped members and adapted to have their ends slidably engaged in said housings, and compensating links extending between each of said U-shaped members in such a manner that each link is connected to the opposite side of the next adjacent U-shaped member, the links extending between two adjacent U-shapedmembers and crossing each other at a point substantially mid-way of their length when said U-shaped members are in a parallel position.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature.

LAWRENCE W. WATERS. 

